Low potential electrochemical syntheses of heteroaromatic conducting polymers in a novel solvent system based on trifluroborate-ethyl ether

The complex formed between heteroaromatic monomers and a Lewis acid solvent such as trifluroborate-ethyl ether (BFEE) markedly lowers the electrochemical polymerization potential. The resulting heteroaromatic conducting polymer (HCP) films show improved mechanical properties and conductivities. The transport of charge is believed to be principally along the conjugated chains, dominating interchain hopping modes. The specific electrical resistance across the HCP film thickness is more than 104 times larger than that along the film plane. Recent developments of polymerization techniques by low potential electrochemical methods are reviewed, along with several electrical devices in which the compact HCP films are used.